In the late 1920's the stock market was soaring, businesses were enjoying record profits and developers were constructing new buildings at a rapid pace. Mortgage companies began offering mortgage-backed securities, a new type of investment.

With the easing of the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, I contacted my friend Curt Strand in Aspen, Colorado to recall the creation of the Havana Hilton Hotel which opened in 1959. Curt was president of Hilton International from 1968 until 1986. In response to my request, he wrote the following:

Best Western CEO David Kong speaks with hotel owners. photo/Best Western

PHOENIX — David Kong, CEO of Best Western International, corresponds with Blue MauMau to explain how its unit hotel owners, not the franchisor, direct the company on how to best protect and grow the brand.